Game Day Snacks and Tailgating Foods

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Looking for game day snacks and tailgating food ideas to make for upcoming game days? Here is a collection of 50 best game day food recipes that are perfect for tailgates and upcoming football parties. This collection includes appetizers, snacks, dips, and many more that everyone will love whether that is before, during and after the game. 

50 game days recipes from chicken, cookies, corn salsa, bacon cheddar scones, pepperoni dip and Italian stromboli

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Game Day Snacks and tailgating foods are the perfect way to enjoy football season. These recipes will be a big hit for your next tailgate or football party. This collection has food items that even the pickiest of eaters can enjoy, so something for everyone to love! Tailgating has been a ritual in this country since the 1800’s, how did it begin? Check it out.


MORE GAME DAY RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites | White Pizza Dip | Garlic Beer Brats

Expert Tips for Tailgating Food Items and Game Day Snacks

  • How do you keep food warm during a tailgate?: Keep food warm at a tailgate by wrapping it in aluminum foil if the party is held outside. If the party is inside, it should be kept in an oven on low or even use a slow cooker. This will make sure that the food items don’t lose their delicious taste. 
  • What’s a Tailgate Dish?: A tailgate dish is a food item you take to a tailgate party. The most popular are burgers, wings, and hotdogs. 
  • What are good game day snacks? Some good game day snacks include cookies, fried items, pastries, chips, and crackers to just name a few. 

Football Finger Foods

These Football Finger Foods are simple and delicious. All these recipes make little to no messes and are easy to eat and enjoyable for people of all ages and even picky eaters! Having finger foods at your next gathering will be a big score and have everyone coming back for more.  

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Doritos Chicken Tenders
Doritos Chicken Tenders
These Doritos Chicken Tenders will earn you a gold star from your kids. This easy recipe only requires 4 ingredients total!
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Top shot of the Italian Stromboli.
Italian Stromboli
Italian Stromboli is really easy to make at home. When you want that stuffed dough filled with savory meats and cheeses, there is no need to go to the local restaurant, try making this simple stromboli recipe at home.
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Picture showing the top slice of a sheet pan taco pizza.
Sheet Pan Taco Pizza
Taco Pizza is the perfect fusion of two of everyone’s favorite dishes. Pizza and Tacos! Spicy and crispy and piled with your favorite toppings!
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Stack of Instant pot Cheesesteak sliders on a white plate on a white tablecloth.
Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Philly Cheesesteak Sliders are a staple in our house. They are so tender, juicy and irresistable. Additionally, they are so easy in the Instant Pot.
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Air Fryer Mac & Cheese Bites on a white plate
Air Fryer Mac & Cheese Bites
There are not enough adjectives to describe Air Fryer Mac & Cheese Bites. They are crispy, cheesy, pasta goodness that will become your families new addiction.
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Picture of the air fryer pizza rolls from the top, all stacked on a white plate.
Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
Air Fryer Pizza rolls are a delectable and fun way to eat pizza. These rolls are so much better than the store bought one you will never go back.
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Plate of air fryer Mozzrella Sticks with a side of marinara sauce.
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are a quick, enticing, easy to prepare, snack or appetizer your family will love.
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Instant Pot meatballs on a wooden board with a side of marinara in a white ramakin
Instant Pot Meatball Subs
Try Instant Pot Meatballs Subs for a hearty meal on a cold winter night or a cool fall game day. These satisfying sandwiches will be a true hit.
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Football Dip

 Football Dip is becoming more and more popular each year, and you have so many options to create. These dips go great as an appetizer or even a snack. Everyone loves a good dip to eat with their chips or crackers. 

Creamy Velveeta rotel dip in a pan.
Velveeta Rotel Dip
This Velveeta Rotel Dip is creamy, cheesy, and spicy. It is perfect for game night. In fact, it is a treat that everyone will enjoy at any get together. Enjoy this easy recipe with tortilla chips or crackers.
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Spinach Artichoke Baked Dip
Spinach Artichoke Baked Dip
This Spinach Artichoke Baked Dip in a bread bowl is guaranteed crowd pleaser. Your family will drooling over this Artichoke Spinach Dip Baked.
A classic white queso dip served with tortilla chips.
White Queso Dip
White Queso Dip is a thick and creamy dipping sauce made with melted cheese. This cheesy dip is perfect for nachos, tortilla chips, and other snacks.
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The Bacon Ranch Dip surrounded by chips.
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Bacon Ranch Cheddar Dip is one of those amazing creations that makes everything better. Who can resist slathering bacon and cheese on things? It is so easy to make, you will be finding new things to put it on all the time.
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Old Bay Crab Dip with Cream Cheese in pyrex.
Old Bay Crab Dip with Cream Cheese
Old Bay Crab Dip with Cream Cheese is so good, you will want to have a party just so you have an excuse to make it. Seafood lovers and dip connoisseurs will both fall for this timeless and delicious dip.
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A skillet full of the pepperoni dip.
Pepperoni Dip
Pepperoni Dip is one of my favorite go to party essentials. Not only is quick and easy to make but everyone loves it. 
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A serving of five layer dip.
Mexican 5 Layer Dip
This 5 Layer dip screams for a glass bowl or serving dish. There is just something so pleasing and appetizing about seeing all the beautiful layers of this Mexican inspired dip.
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A top shot of the crock pot buffalo chicken dip.
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip is a great way to serve a warm and spicy dip at parties or super bowl football events.
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Italian Hoagie Dip in a white bowl with bread slices.
Italian Hoagie Dip
The Italian Hoagie Dip recipe is layers of Italian meats and cheese, topped with a tangy, Italian herb spread and garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and peppers.  It’s a flavor explosion!
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Crock Pot Cream Cheese Corn Dip
This crock pot cream cheese corn dip is creamy, sweet. spicy and salty. It is the perfect party dip when made in the slow cooker for ease of preparation and time savings.
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Football Game Appetizers

Everyone loves a good football game appetizer to enjoy before the game, here are some good tailgate and game day food appetizers for everyone to love! These appetizers range from macaroni to charcuterie boards to scones and many more! You can’t go wrong with these perfect game day appetizers! 

Easy Charcuterie Board
Easy Charcuterie Board
This Easy Charcuterie Board is the perfect appetizer for all your special occasions especially during game day. This Charcuterie Board makes for easy football snacks to keep and easy for everyone to enjoy.
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Charcuterie Skewers on a white plate.
Charcuterie Skewers
These Charcuterie Skewers layered with meat and cheese make for the best party appetizer as they are so easy and convenient.
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A person is holding a buffalo chicken egg roll.
Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls are a fun way to enjoy spicy chicken with a zingy sauce inside of a crunchy egg roll.
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Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket on a white plate with dip in the middle.
Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket
Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket are a fabulous appetizer or a fun dinner idea. This recipe is elevated by using the Everything but the Bagel seasoning to take the flavor truly, to the next level good.
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Cheeseburger Macaroni on a checkered tablecloth.
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Cheeseburger Macaroni recipes will be approved by even your pickiest eaters. Perfect for hectic weeknights when you want a hearty dinner.
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Cranberry Cheesecake Crescent Rolls
Cranberry Cheesecake Crescent Rolls
This treat is like a cross between Cranberry Cheesecake and a cheese danish with crescent rolls. It is a perfect Holiday side dish or dessert.
Bacon Cheddar Scones close up on a stack.
Bacon Cheddar Scones
Bacon Cheddar Scones are a dream. A savory scone filled with bacon and cheddar cheese that are perfect as a side, as a sandwich as a snack.
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Barbecue meatballs on a plate, served with toothpicks.
Barbecue Meatballs with Grape Jelly
These Barbecue Meatballs with Grape Jelly are the perfect appetizer for game day, a potluck, or any get together. Made with just 3 ingredients, this crock pot meatball recipe is an easy and delicious favorite.
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A stack of honey barbecue wings.
Honey Barbecue Wings
Honey Barbecue Wings are a sticky, sweet treat that are perfect for game day. Great for people who don’t want super hot wings but prefer a little sweetness with their wings.
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Loaded taco bites with tomatoes, lettuce, and olives.
Loaded Taco Bites
Although they may be small, these Loaded Taco Bites are bursting with flavor! Enjoy these beef taco appetizers at a party, or as a game day snack.
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Baked American Buffalo Wings.
Baked American Buffalo Wings
These Baked American Buffalo Wings are a quick and healthy way to get the wings ready for your game day party but sacrifice nothing in taste.
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Healthy Game Day Snacks

 Want to have a football celebration but looking for healthy game day snacks? Look no further these recipes are all healthy and low in calories. Also, include a variety of dips and appetizers that are still great to enjoy during the football season.

Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey
Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey
This Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey is a crowd pleaser for sure. Whipped Ricotta with Honey is so easy to make, you won’t believe it!
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White plate of fried pickles with dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Pickles
Air fryer fried pickles are seriously amazing. If you have never been to a fair and tried this delicacy, you are missing out. Try this recipe!
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A plate of vegetables with Sour Cream and Ranch Dip.
Sour Cream Ranch Dip
Ranch Dip makes a great appetizer that’s perfect for any party. It comes together in minutes and uses ingredients you might already have.
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Million Dollar Deviled Eggs garnished with paprika and parsley on a white plate.
Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
Million Dollar Deviled Eggs elevates the humble deviled egg with a luxuriously rich and flavorful filling that lives up to its name.
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Air Fryer Chicken Egg Rolls on a rounds white plate with a side of dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Chicken Egg Rolls
Chicken Egg Rolls are a versatile dish that you can make as an appetizer, snack, quick lunch or main meal. This air fryer recipe makes it quick and so easy.
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Black Bean Corn Salsa with lime and chips.
Black Bean Corn Salsa
This Black Bean Corn Salsa is healthy, flavorful, colorful and delicious are just a few words that describe this Black Bean and Corn Salad.  It’s a quick and easy salsa that can be used as a salad or a topping too! 
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Three white bowls of Spinach artichoke dip surrounded by crackers
Olive Garden Spinach Artichoke Dip (Instant Pot)
Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip is the perfect blend of mixing a classic dip and bringing it into the modern age by using an instant pot
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White bowl with Roasted Chickpeas
Air Fryer Roasted Chickpeas Recipe
This Air Fryer Chickpeas recipe is super simple as they are ready in a fraction of time that it would take to roast them in the oven.  
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Football Game Snacks

You can’t go wrong with football game snacks that are popular during game days as well as trying new snack options for everyone to love and to munch on during the game. Some of these snack options also make great desserts. These football snacks are a mix between sweet and salty foods, these options everyone will find a recipe they love. These recipes are easy football snacks to create and most of them take less than 30 minutes. 

Football cookies stacked on a wooden cutting board.
Nutter Butter Football Cookies
Looking for easy football snacks to make for your football party? These Football Cookies are the perfect football finger foods to enjoy while watching the big game!
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4 Instant Pot Churro Bites on a white plate
Instant Pot Churro Bites
Instant Pot Churro Bites are a quick, tasty snack to have on movie night, game night or whenever you want a scrumptious treat.
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Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball - This Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball is an easy appetizer recipe that's the perfect holiday party treat
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
This Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball is an easy appetizer recipe that’s the perfect holiday party treat!
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A close up on the caramel chocolate pretzels.
Caramel Chocolate Pretzels
Chocolate Pretzels are the perfect sweet and salty party treat that will have friends and family going back for more!
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Blue bowl of churro muddy buddies with a cinnamon stick on the side.
Churro Muddy Buddies
Churro Muddy Buddies have all the sweet, cinnamon sugar, crunchy goodness of a traditional churro but take no time at all to make. So if you have been craving churros give this quick, easy snack a try.
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Peanut Butter Blondies stacked on a white plate.
Peanut Butter Blondies
This Peanut Butter Blondie Recipe is not only amazing, it is also flourless and also healthier than the traditional option. This recipe has all the rich flavor of a tradition blonde right down to the chocolate chips.
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Slow Cooker Snack Mix - this easy crock pot recipe is full of flavor and simple to make
Slow Cooker Snack Mix
This Slow Cooker Party Snack Mix is one of my favorite easy Crock-Pot® slow cooker recipes.  It’s super delicious and one of the best slow cooker recipes of all time. This recipe is great for games day to enjoy while watching. 
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Peanut Butter Nutella Crescents - this is an easy snack recipe that kids love
Nutella Peanut Butter Crescents
These Nutella Peanut Butter Crescents are an easy snack recipe that only takes 25 minutes to make. Nutella, and peanut butter inside a crescent, makes the perfect snack for everyone to enjoy!

Tailgating Foods Without A Grill

Want to make tailgating foods without a grill? Don’t worry this list will highlight some recipes that are made without a grill. This list includes fan favorites foods to enjoy during football season. These recipes are so tasteful and still give some flavor the same way a grill would. 

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder (Pulled Pork BBQ)
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork BBQ
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder is one of those amazing dishes that just become better with a low and slow cooking process. If you’re looking to wow your family and friends this summer, give this recipe a try!  It just might become the most coveted recipe in your recipe box too!
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Chicken with garlic brown sugar.
Crock Pot Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken
Your family will love this Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken made in a Crock Pot. This Brown Sugar Chicken recipe only requires 4 ingredients!
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Air Fryer Hamburgers
Air Fryer Hamburgers are the perfect dinner to make when you want something quick, flavorful and juicy without firing up your grill.
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Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken on a white plate.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken is a tender, sumptuous, chicken dish slathered in barbeque sauce prepared in a short time. Perfect for those busy weeknight meals when time is of the essence but you don’t want to sacrifice on taste.
 
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Air Fryer Corn with Herb Butter
Air Fryer Corn with Herb Butter
This Air Fryer Corn with Herb Butter makes for the perfect side dish. This will the best Corn on The Cob in Air Fryer recipe you’ll have!
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RECIPES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

12 thoughts on “Game Day Snacks and Tailgating Foods”

  1. Wow these look so yummy for anytime! Definitely going to make some of these…I’m sort of an appetizer lover! 😀

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  2. Yum! These Super Bowl snacks look amazing. I am a huge fan of buffalo chicken and I’m going to have to try this dip on Sunday! I pinned it up as well. Thanks!

    Reply

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